I had officially decided something.
This college was cursed.
First, I almost got killed by a cold, scary girl.
Then, I got publicly humiliated by an arrogant one.
"At this rate, I won't survive a week…" I sighed, resting my head on the desk.
Classes finally ended, and students slowly started leaving.
I stayed seated for a while.
Mostly because I didn't want to run into that girl again.
"Pathetic."
Yeah… that word was still stuck in my head.
"Who does she think she is…" I muttered.
"Um… excuse me?"
A soft voice suddenly came from beside me.
I looked up.
And for a moment… I forgot how to speak.
A girl stood there, slightly nervous.
She had gentle eyes, long dark hair, and a calm presence that felt completely different from the chaos I had experienced today.
"Are you… Ayaan?" she asked quietly.
"Y-Yeah…"
"I thought so," she gave a small smile. "You're new, right?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"A little," she said softly.
That smile…
Why did it feel so… comforting?
"I'm sorry about what happened earlier," she said.
I blinked.
"Sorry?"
"Yeah… in class," she looked slightly down. "She can be a bit… harsh."
"Bit?" I raised an eyebrow. "That's an understatement."
She let out a small laugh.
It was soft.
But somehow… it made me feel at ease.
"I guess you're right," she said.
For the first time today…
I didn't feel stressed.
"I'm Ayaan," I said properly this time.
"I know," she smiled. "You already got introduced… very publicly."
"…Please don't remind me."
She laughed again.
"Sorry."
There was a short silence.
But it wasn't awkward.
It was… peaceful.
"I'm Meera," she said after a moment.
"Meera…" I repeated.
Nice name.
"I can show you around the campus, if you want," she offered. "You looked a bit lost earlier."
"That obvious, huh?"
"A little," she smiled again.
I sighed.
"Honestly… I'd appreciate that."
"Okay," she nodded. "Let's go."
We started walking together out of the classroom.
For some reason…
Everything felt a little lighter now.
Maybe this college wasn't completely terrible after all.
But just as we stepped into the corridor—
I felt a sudden chill.
That feeling again.
I turned my head slightly.
And there she was.
The cold-eyed girl.
Standing at the end of the corridor.
Watching us.
Her gaze shifted from me…
To Meera.
And for a brief moment—
Her expression changed.
Just slightly.
But I noticed it.
"…Looks like my problems aren't over yet," I muttered.
"Did you say something?" Meera asked.
"…Nothing."
But deep inside—
I had a strange feeling.
Things were about to get even more complicated.